Electromagnetic valve



Dec. 9, 1941. s. T. KOPP 2,265,648

ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE Filed April 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C 7 go INVENTOR W A ORNEY Dec. 9, 1941. T K PP 2,265,648

ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE Filed April 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR G or e 7 /70 2 1 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE George T. Kopp, Detroit,'Micl1.

Application April 19, 1940, Serial No. 330,632

3 Claims.

This invention relates to combined manual and thermostatic control for hot water heaters including electro-magnetic valve means therefor.

One object of the invention is to provide a combined manual and thermostatic control for hot water heaters including electro-magnetic valve means therefor wherein the said electro-' magnetic valve means is energized only while the valve is being opened and closed and not while water is being heated.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple, inexpensive electro-magnetic valve means adapted to be opened responsive to an electric impulse, mechanically maintained in an open position, and mechanically closed responsive to a second electric impulse.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple, inexpensive combined electro-magnetic valve and switch in which the valve is opened and switch closed responsive to an electric impulse, in which the valve is maintained open and the switch maintained closed mechanically, and in which the valve is' closed and switch is opened mechanically responsive to a second electric impulse.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of ayalve and switch mechanism embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fi l. r

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the combined electro-magnetic and mechanical valve and switch mechanism employed.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 3. 5

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the electrical connections to: the electro-magnetic and switch means disclose'din Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

, Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram showing a manual and thermostatic control for hot water heaters 4 embodying the invention employing the combined electro-magnetic and mechanical valve and switch mechanism disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. I

Fig. '7 is a more or less diagrammatic elevational view disclosing a preferred means for adjustably securing a combined thermostatic and manual switch element to a hot water tank.

manual and thermostatic switch element preferably employed in the combination manual and thermostatic control for hot water heaters disclosed herein.

Fig. is a horizontal sectional view taken on the linen-48 of Fig. 9 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows and turned 180 degrees 7 with respect to Fig. 9.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal a lower outlet chamber 21. has an inverted frusto-conical gas port 25 there- Referring now to 'the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the novel electromagnetic valve and switch means disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive will first be described in detail, and then a detailed description, of the combined manual and thermostatic control for through against the upper sloping periphery of which a ball valve member 28 seats by gravity. The said ball valve member 28 has a guide pin 29 depending therefrom which maintains the said ball valve member 28 in alignment over the port 25"when the valve is open even though the valve housing 2i may be mounted considerable ofi from its preferred vertical position. The upper end of the said ball valve member 28 is preferably provided with an eye 30 which is linked into an eye 3| formed on the depending end ofthe reciprocating vertically disposed valve operating plunger 32., of the electro-magnetic valve and switch unit 33. 4

The housing 2| has a protuberance 84 formed on one side thereof which is hollow bored and threaded from one end at 88 to receive a pilot light tube connection fitting 86 and is cross bored and threaded to accommodate a pilot light adjusting screw 31. The said pilot light adjusting screw 81 is formed conical at its inner end to seat around the periphery of the by-pass pilot light bleeder bore 88 communicating between the hollow bore 35 and the gas inlet chamber 25.

. A flexible tube. runs from the pilot lighttube connection fitting 38 to the pilot light of a gas heater supplied with gas through the gas valve 20. Gas is piped to the gas inlet 22 and from the gas outlet 23 of the gas valve 20 by means of inlet and outlet piping l0 and ll respectively.

After the valve 28 and electro-magnetic valve and switch unit 33 are assembled and wired within the housing 2I to suitable terminals A, B, C, and "D which extend in hermetically sealed and insulated relationship through the housing 2|, a cover member 42 is secured in hermetically sealed relationship over the top of the upper inlet chamber 26 by means of suitable machine screws 43 as indicated in Fig. 2.

The said electro-magnetic valve and switch unit '33 comprises a bracket 50 having a slot in the back 52 thereof through which the shank of a securing bolt 53 extends. The said securing bolt 53 is positioned in hermetically sealed relationship through the housing 2| and is tightened by a nut 54- in such a manner that the head of the said securing bolt 53 engages the back 52 of the bracket 53 and holds the said electro-magnetic valve and switch unit in its proper adjusted position wherein the ball valve member 28depending from the valve operating plunger 32 seats in the valve seat formed by the inverted frusto-conical gas port 25 when the valve operating plunger 32 is in its normal 58 is disposed normal to and in spaced relationship below one of the said electro-rnagnets 56,-see Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

- The said bracket 50 has a lower horizontally disposed plunger guide 59 through which the lower portion of the valve operating plunger 32 slides freely. The upper end of the said valve operating plunger 32 slides freely through the upper electro-magnet and switch support 55 midway between the pair of electro-magnets 55 to operate the switch 18 as hereinafter described in detail. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 thatthe axial centers of the pair of. vertically disposed electro-magnets 56, the axial center of member 28 upon release of the valve operating plunger 32 from its detent 63.

The said detent 83is of magnetic material and is pivotally mounted around a horizontally disposed cotter pin 65 extending between a pair of apertured tabs ,63 fstruck up from the lower horizontally disposed plunger guide 59 as indicated in.Figs. 1, 2 and 3.' A cantilever spring 61 of non-magnetic material is preferably anchored at the cotter pin 35, is positioned between the detent 83 and theouter end of the core of the horizontally disposed electro-magnet 58, and is formed in such a manner as to react against the said outer end of the core of the said electro-magnet 58' and constantly urge the said detent 63 against the .notched and shouldered valve operating plunger 32' as best shown 56 are energized'momentarily, the said magnets attract the armature 88 fixed to the valve operating plunger 32 which hits the said valve operating plunger 32 to its on position and opens gas port by lifting the ball valve memthe horizontally disposed electro-magnet 58, the

axial center of the valve operating plunger 32,

and the axial center of the ball valve member 28 are all in a single plane.

The valve operating plunger 32 is preferably formed of a non-magnetic material and has a transversely disposed armature 68 of magnetic material fixed thereto located to clear the lower ends of the vertically disposed electro-magnets cured to the lower end of each vertically disposed magnet 58 and serves tobreak the armature 30 from the said magnets 53 when current therethrough is cut oil. thus assuring the gravity dropp ng of the valve op rat n plun er 32 and the closing of the gas port 25 'by the ball valve her 28 therefrom. When the' valveoperating plunger 32 rises, the spring loaded detent armature 63 snaps against the notch 6! of the said plunger 32 below the shoulder 62 thereof and prevents the said valve operating plunger 32 and the ball valve member 28 carried thereby Ifrom gravitating from its on? to its "off position. However, after the operating plunger 32 and the ball valve member 28- are in their on position, and when the horizontally disposed'release electro-magnet 53 is energized, the detent armature 33'pivots against the end of the core of the said electro-magnet 58 and releases the valve operating plunger 32 whereby to permit the said valve operating plunger 32 and ball valve member 28 to again drop by gravity to their "01? position.

A pair offlexible switch arms 88 and 53 of resilient non-magnetic material are mounted in a suitable support 10 one above the other in insulated relationship with respect to each other, the outer portion of the lower switch arm 53 having a fiber insulating pad II thereunder against which the upper end 320 of the valve operating plunger. 32 acts when the electromagnets 58 are energized and the valve ball valve member 28 and the valvepperating plunger 32 are lifted to their off position. The raising of the said valve operating plunger 32 to its "off" position closes contacts 12 and 13 on the said flexible switch arms 68 and 59 respectively.

Thus, the electro-magnetic valve and switch unit 33 opens the gas port 25 by raising the ball valve member 28 responsive to an electric impulse simultaneously with closing the switch ll composed of the flexible switch arms 68 and 69 andtrical connections from and between the electromagnets 58 and 58 and the electric switch I4 which employs the gas valve 20 hereinbefore described, a remote combined manual on and off operating switch and pilot light unit I5, a combined manual on and off and thermostatic ofl switch I8 and a transformer 11.

The said combined on and off switch and pilot light unit I5 is shown more or less diagrammatically in Fig. 6 and comprises a wall plate I8 having spring loaded normally open on and off switches I9 and 80 respectively and a signal light receptacle 8I mounted on the reverse side thereof. A redlens 82 fixed in the wall plate 18 opposite a signal light bulb 83 screwed inthe receptacle 8I serves to provide a red signal light at the wall plate I8 when the gas valve 20 is open and the switch 14 thereof is closed by the by a tension spring 93. The housing 94 of the said combined manual on and off and thermostatic off switch I6 has a pair of notched guides or lugs 95 on the face thereof to receive the taut cable 92 and is curved at 96 to conform to the hot water storage tank 89.

The said combined manual on and oil and thermostatic off switch "I8 comprises a hollow box typehousing 94 into which a thermostatic l0 and manual switch block 91 is mounted and through which spring loaded manually operated normally open on and off switches 98 and 99 respectively of the said switchblock 9! are telescoped. The said switch block, 91 is con- 15 structed of an insulating material and is mounted on the inside of the said housing 94 on inwardly protruding nibs I00 by screws IOI as best illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. A movable bi-metal contact carrying thermostatic element I02 is mounted on a combined bracket and bus bar I03 which extends upwardly from the said switch block 9! and which is connected to one side of the said spring loaded manually operated normallyopen fon and off switches 98 and 99 raising of the valve operating plunger 32 as here-- spe t y as est S w n s. 9 d inbefore described. It will be noted that one I side of the normally open on switch I9 is permanently connected to one side of the normally open ofi switch 80 and that one side of the signal light receptacle is connected to the said per- By reference to Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6, it will be observed that the momentary pressing of the on switch I9 of the on and of! switch and the transformer 11 connected to a source S-S of electric current to pass through conductors 84, 85 and" to terminals A and D of the gas valve 20 whereupon the electro-magnets 58 thereot are energized which opens the gas port 25 and closes the electric switch I4 as hereinbefore described in detail. The closing of the electric switch I4 A movable contact I04 mounted on the thermostatic element I02 registers with and contacts a fixed contact I05 mounted on an adjustable arm I06 connected to a bus bar I04 having a terminal I08; the said bus bar lfllserving as one manent connection between the said on.and

side of the normally open on switch 98. A bus bar I09 having a terminal 0' serves .as one side of the normally open off switch 99. The said bus bar I03 has a terminal III by means of which electrical connection is made to the movpilot light unit I5 causes an electric impulse from able contact I04 of the thermostatic element I02.

By reference to Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, 9 and 10, it is obvious that the momentary pressing of the on 40 switch 98 of the combined manual on and of the gas valve 20 carries current to the termiunit I5, an electric impulse from the transformer I 11 passes through conductors 84, 85 and 88 to the terminals A and C of the gas valve 20 whereupon the electro-magnet 58 thereof is energized, the gas port 25 is closed and the electric switch I4 tail. The opening of theelectric switch I4 shuts off current to the signal light bulb 83, which,

off and thermostatic off switch 16 causes an electric impulse from the transformer 11 to pass through conductors 84, II2 and II3 to terminals A and D of the gas valve 20 whereupon the electro-magnets 56 thereof are energized which opens the gas port 25 and closes the electric switch I4 hereinbefore described in detail. The closing of the electric switch I4 of the gas valve 20 carries current to the terminal 13 thereof which v lights the signal light bulb 83 through'the conductors 85 and 81. The signal light 83 remains lighted the entire time the gas port 25 of the gas valve 20 remains open.

By the momentary pressing of the off switch 99 of the combined 'manual on and off and is opened, all as hereinbefore described in dewhen dark, shows that gas is not passing through the gas valve 20 to the gas water heater to which 0 net 58 thereof is energized, the gas port 25 is a gas line therefrom is connected and that water is not being heated.

The gas heater which is supplied with gas from and dash lines 80 and 9i in Fig. 7.

The combined manual on and off and thermostatic "of!" switch I6 is'slidably secured tothe face of the hot water storage tank 89 by means of a wire cable 92 hooked to the top and bottom,

of the said storage tank 89 and maintained taut closed and the electric switch 14 is opened, all as hereinbefore described in detail. The opening of the electric switch I4 shuts off current to the electric signal light bulb 83, which, when dark,

shows that gas is not passing through the gas valve 20 to the gas water heater to which a gas line therefrom is connected.

When the bi-metallic thermostatic element I02 of the thermostatic off switch II5 of the 6 combined manual on and cif and thermostatic off? switch I6 expands from heat radiatedthereto from the hot water in the hot water tank 89 heated from gas passing through the gas valve 20 after the on switch I9 or the on switch 98 has been pressed and the gas Port 25 of the said gas valve 20 opened, it brings its movable contact I'M into contact with the fixed contact I05 of the thermostatic "off" switch H5 "which causes electric current from the transformer 11 to pass through the conductors 84, H2

and] I! to the terminals A and C of the gas valve 20 whereupdn the electro-rmagnet 68 thereof is energized, the gas port 25 is closed and the electric switch 14 isopened, all as hereinbefore described in detail. The opening of the electric switch 14 shuts off current to the electric signal er, not shown, receiving gas through the gas valve 28 enters the hot water tank 89 through the water inlet 90 thereto, the hot water rises to the top of the tank, and, as soon as water in the said tank 89 is heated to the temperature to which the thermostatic off switch H5 is adjusted, it causes the said thermostatic Off switch H5 to close which shuts off gas to the hot water heater at the gas valve as hereinbefore described. By sliding the combined manual on and off" and thermostatic off switch 16 up or down on the hot water tank 89, the amount of water heated in any one turning-on of the gas to the hot water heater by momentarily pressing either the on switch 19 of the combined manual on and off switch and pilot light unit 15 or the on switch 98 of the combined manual on and off and thermostatic off switch I6 may be governed.

After the predetermined amount of water is heated and stored in the hot water storage tank 89, the thermostatic switch H5 shuts ofi the gas under the hot water heater as hereinbefore described; Except bymanually holding either the on" switch 19 or the on switch 98 closed by continually pressing the buttons thereof, the gas cannot again be turned on by momentarily pressing the on switch I9 or the on{ switch 98 until the water in the hot water storage tank 89 has become sufficiently cooled or is used sufiiciently to permit the bi-metal thermostatic element I02 of the thermostatic off switch I l5 to move its contact I04 away from the fixed contact Hi5 thereof, However, after the gas under the water heater has been turned on by momentarily pressin either the manual "on switch 19 or the manual "on" switch 98 which opens the gas valve 20, the gas may be shut oil? at any time prior to the operation of the thermostatic oif switch H5 by momentarily pressing either the manual "on" switch 80 or the manual off switch 99.

Although but one erribodinientof the invention and one illustrative installation thereof has been disclosed and described in detail, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape arrangement and detail of the various parts of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim: I V 1. In a gas valve of the, type enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing, having-a baflie therein' tures therethrough in axial alignment with said gas port, an operating plunger reciprocatingly telescoped through said guides and linked to the top of said ball valve member, a guide pin depending from said ball valve member extending through said ga port maintaining said ball valve member in alignment between said operating plunger andsaid gas port when ofi its seat, a pair of electro-magnets depending from the upper guide member one on each side of said operating plunger, an armature fixed to said operating plunger extending transversely therefrom below said pair of electromagnets and attracted thereto when said pair of electro-magnets are energiz'ed momentarily whereby to lift said ball valve member ofi said valve seat, a downwardly facing transversely disposed shoulder formed'on said operating plunger, a vertically disposed spring loaded detent pivotally mounted to engage the said valve operating plunger at said shoulder and hold said valve member off its seat upon momentarily energizing said pair of magnets, a

transversely disposed electro-magnet positioned 'to withdraw said detent from supporting said gas valve operating plunger when energized momentarily whereby to permit said valve member to gravitate and close said gas port, the entire organization characterized by its quick action responsive to alternate momentary energization of the-vertically disposed pair of electro-magnets and the single horizontally disposed electro-magnet.

2. In a gas valve of the type enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing having a bafile therein dividing the housing into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber and a gas port through said bafiie formed to serve as a valve seat, an electromagnetic gravity valve composed of a gravity allel to said bafiie, means for securing said operating mechanism support to said housing in suitable vertical adjustment with respect to said baflie to admit of said ball valve member seating in said valve seat, the said guides having valve operating plunger apertures therethrough in axial alignment with' said gas port, an opersaid guides having valve operating plunger aper ating plunger reciprocatingly telescoped through said guides and linked to the top of said ball valve member, a guide pin depending from said .ball valve member extending through said gas port maintaining said ball valve member in alignment between said operating plunger and said gas port when oil its vseat; a pair of electromagnets depending from the upper guide member one on each side of said operating plunger, an armature fixed to saidoperating plunger extending transversely therefrom below said pair of electro-magnets and attracted thereto when said pair of electro-magnets are energized mo- 'mentarily whereby to lift said ball valve member oil said valve seat, a downwardly facing transversely disposed shoulder formed on said operating plunger, a vertically disposed spring loaded detent pivotally mounted on said valve operating mechanism support to engage the said valve operating plunger 'at said shoulder and hold said valve -memberofl its seat upon momentarily energizing said pair of magnets, a

transversely disposed electro-magnet; fixed to said valve operating mechanism support positioned to withdraw said detent from supporting said gas valve operatingplunger when energized momentarily whereby to permit said valve member to gravitate and close said gas port, the entire organization characterized by its quick action responsive to alternate momentary energization oi. the vertically disposed pair of electromagnets and the single horizontally disposed electro-magnets.

'3. In a gas/valve of the type enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing having a baiiietherein dividing the housing into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber and a gas port through said baille formed to serve as a valve seat, an electro-magnetic gravity valve composed of a gravity ball valve member normally closing said gas port, a pair of vertically spaced guides within saidrhousing disposed above and parallel to said baflle, the said guides having valve operating plunger apertures therethrough in axial alignment with said gas port, an operating plunger reciprocatingly telescoped through said uides and linked to the top of said ball valve member, a guide pirfdepending from said ball valve member extending through said gas port maintaining said ball valve member in alignment between said operating plunger and said gas port when of! its seat, a pair of electro-magnets depending from the upper guide member one on each side of said operating plunger, an armature fixed to said operating plunger extending transversely therefrom below said pair or eleotro-magnets and attracted thereto when said pair of electro-magnets are energized momentarily whereby to lift said ball valve member of! said valve seat, a downwardly facing transversely dis posed shoulder formed on said operating plunger, a vertically disposed spring loaded detent pivotally mounted to engage the said valve operating plunger at said shoulder and hold said valve member 01! its-seat upon momentarily energizing said pair of magnets, a transversely disposed electro-magnet positioned to withdraw said detent from supporting said gas valve operating plunger when energized momentarily whereby to permit said valve-member to gravitate and close said gas port, non-magnetic spring means at the lower end 0! each magnet 01 the pair of depending electro-magnets of suflicient strength to cause the armature to break from said electro-magnets upon de-energization thereof, the

entire organization characterized by its quick action responsive to alternate momentary ener-- gization of the vertically disposed pair of electro-rnagnets and the single horizontally disposed I electro-magnet.

' GEORGE T KOPP. 

